Activities in Granada & The Masaya Region
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Los Agüizotes
Los Agüizotes is an important celebration, featuring spirits of the dead and characters from indigenous horror stories (many originating during the Spanish conquest). The Headless Priest and La Carreta Nagua (Chariot of Death) are used throughout the year to scare children into better behavior, but on the last Friday in October make their way through the streets of Monimbó and Masaya.
Costumes are prepared the night before in a ceremony called La Vela de Candil (Vigil of the Candle). They are placed on a table with a large candle in the middle, and those watching over it throughout the night keep themselves awake with fireworks, live music, alcohol and dancing, after wh…
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Horse-drawn Carriage Tours
The classic Granada tour takes a horse-drawn carriage from the park for an hour-long whirl past churches, the cemetery, the malecón (waterfront) and more with your Spanish-speaking guide. These guys know how to give a tour, too: this has been a family business since 1868, when carriages were first introduced here and in Masaya.
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Tourist Train
If you're here between Thursday and Sunday, consider taking the cute little tourist train from Hotel Madera's Inn on a guided tour of Masaya. Highlights include the malecón (waterfront), Iglesia de San Jerónimo and the old 1926 train station (Av Zelaya), which unfortunately remains closed to the public.
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Servitour Monimbó
Most people organize tours from Granada, but there is one homegrown Masaya outfit, Servitour Monimbó. It offers inexpensive tours of local crafts workshops, as well as trips to Aguas Clara hot springs and Reserva Natural El Chocoyero-El Brujo. Most trips are geared toward larger groups.
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Horse-drawn Carriage
One of the best ways to see the town is in a horse-drawn carriage. Skinny horses may dissuade some would-be riders, but note that Granada's burgeoning tourist industry (ie horrified, complaining tourists) has inspired some serious equine weight-gain.
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Mosaics Workshops
Janet Gallagher at Cafe DecArte regularly offers classes; the fee includes all your materials, which will (hopefully) become a beautiful bowl; she also teaches local kids as part of the Muchachos de Mosaico program, and you can buy their work here.
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Maycor José García - Spanish Teacher
There are loads of freelance Spanish teachers, most with experience at one of the language schools, who will come to your hotel, and may be able to arrange homestays. Check bulletin boards in backpacker hotels, or try Maycor José García.
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Inuit Kayaks
Most tour companies run trips to Las Isletas, or do it yourself with Inuit Kayaks, which runs several guided tours and also rents tents - camping is free in the Centro Turistico. Inuit Kayaks also plans to offer sailboats and windsurfing soon.
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Bayardo Corea Cuadra
There are loads of freelance Spanish teachers, most with experience at one of the language schools, who will come to your hotel, and may be able to arrange homestays. Check bulletin boards in backpacker hotels, or try Bayardo Corea Cuadra.
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Mombotour
This recommended outfitter is part of the Mombacho Canopy Tour, which you can combine with other active options like guided hikes up Reserva Natural Volcán Mombacho, kayak trips through Las Isletas and bike rides to Laguna de Apoyo.
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Ruth Abea - Spanish Teacher
There are loads of freelance Spanish teachers, most with experience at one of the language schools, who will come to your hotel, and may be able to arrange homestays. Check bulletin boards in backpacker hotels, or try Ruth Abea.
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Amigo Tours
For guided tours, prices are lower for larger groups, so solo travelers should shop around to see who is already going; reputable operators include Amigo Tours. It's fancier than the others.
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One-on-One Tutoring
With guaranteed private classes arranged around a beautiful leafy patio, this is a good option. Homestays with meals can be arranged for an extra charge.
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Land Cruiser Tours
See the country on a custom tour in a super-plush Land Cruiser; co-owner Ruth López Gaitan is an expert on Masaya's fascinating Barrio Monimbó.
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Blue Mountain Horseback Riding
Offers one tour: horseback rides through the lakes and volcanoes begin at 10:00, stop for a lunch buffet in a little town, and return at 17:00.
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La Gran Sultana Spanish School
Homestays (one has a mom who speaks French) are extra, including all meals, and you pay the family directly.
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Ave Nicaragüita Escuela Español
Professional operation works with (and at) the Red Cross; classrooms could get hot by the afternoon.
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Casa Xalteva
Casa Xalteva also runs a children's shelter. It can get hot during afternoon classes.
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Painting Classes
Ask at Casa de los Tres Mundos about twice-weekly classes at Fortaleza El Polvora.
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Oro Travel
Reputable tour outfitter. Offers good-value trips all over the country.
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JB Funtours
Offers tours. Locate them in a souvenir shop on the parque central.
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Nicaragua Adventures
The most expensive and exclusive operator of them all, dahlings.
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